11 Best Cast Iron Grill Pans To Buy In 2021
sanjana lagudu 
In This Article
Do you like grilled steak or veggies, but hate using a BBQ or a grill? A cast iron grill pan is what you need then.
Grill pans have ridges on the surface to help you grill the food indoors. Place the pan on the stovetop, smear some oil onto the ridges, and place the meat or veggies on it to cook. A few minutes later, the food will be cooked as it would be on a BBQ or outdoor grill, with grill marks and all.
The best part of a grill pan is that it does not give out much smoke and can cook foods uniformly at high temperatures. Some models are designed to be compatible with a variety of heat sources, such as induction stoves. If you want to invest in a good cast iron grill pan to sauté, bake, grill, or broil your food indoors, this post is for you. Read on as we list some of the best cast iron grill pans you can purchase online.
Top Picks
11 Best Cast Iron Grill Pans
1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill
The Lodge square cast iron grill is 10.5 in thick, which is perfect for grilling red meats. It is designed for use on all cooking surfaces, including campfires. The ridges along the grill’s surface give the food a charred flavor and help collect excess oil at the bottom. Cast iron aids in superior heat retention and even distribution of heat. The pan comes with a sturdy handle to hold the grill while hot.
Pros
- Thick enough for cooking meat at high temperatures
- Ridges give a charred flavor
- Sturdy construction
- Ergonomic handle
- Loops to easily hang the pan
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
Cons
- Might be hard to clean
- May get rusty
2. Cuisinart C130-23CR Chef’s Classic Cast Iron Grill Pan
This cast iron grill has an exterior and interior porcelain enamel coating, which is durable and does not allow foods to stick to the grill. The coating does not affect the taste and flavor of the food. Cuisinart cast iron grill has a versatile design and can be used to cook on stove top, oven, and broiler. The 9.25-inch square pan gives you a larger grilling space and is available in three colors.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Ridges for better grilling
- Non-stick porcelain interior
- Stylish finish with different color options
- Built-in pouring lips to drain the excess oil and grease
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Enamel coating might chip off easily
- May be difficult to clean
3. Tramontina 80131/064DS Cast Iron Grill Pan
This pan from Tramontina could be one of the best cast iron grill pans for grilling, frying, and sautéing. It is compatible with gas, electric, ceramic, glass, and induction cooktops. The pan is said to be oven-safe for 450℉ and can be used for baking, too. The grill pan contains porcelain enamel coating on the interior and exterior, which gives it an elegant look and cooks foods without changing their flavors.
Pros
- Cast iron for even heating and superior heat retention
- Ergonomic handle
- Built-in pouring lips to drain excess grease
- Compatible with all cooktops
- Handy press included
Cons
- Enamel coating might chip off easily
- Handle might get hot
4. Victoria Cast Iron Grill Pan
The Victoria cast iron grill pan is made of high-quality commercial iron that is durable and gives superior heat retention for even cooking. It is seasoned with 100% non-GMO flaxseed oil and comes ready to use. This cast iron grill pan is designed to function on almost all cooking surfaces, measures 10.2 x 10.8 x 8in, and weighs 5.3lb. The ridges on the pan’s surface help in grilling and give a charred flavor to the food.
Pros
- Pre-seasoned with flaxseed oil
- Longer handles for safe handling
- Two pouring lips
- Compatible with most stovetops
- Bigger hang holes
Cons
- Could be heavy
- Might rust easily
5. Outset 76225 Cast Iron Oyster Grill Pan
This round grill pan is made of durable cast iron and is specially designed for grilling oysters. It features dimensions of 13.25 x 19.25 x 1in. There are separate compartments on the pan to grill 12 oysters at once. Designed to be used for frying, sautéing, and grilling, this pan can be used on any cooktop, including the oven. The compartments come with a non-stick coating for easy release of the food.
Pros
- Separate compartments for cooking
- Compatible with different cooktops
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Handles on either side for safe handling
Cons
- Some might find it heavy
- Compartments too big to grill the oysters without the shells
6. Ewei’s Homeware 10.5in Cast Iron Skillet Pan
The Ewei’s non-stick grill pan is made of high-quality cast iron that quickly and evenly gives superior heat. The pan measures 10.5 x 1.96 x 16.5in and is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil. The surface area of this pan is wide enough to grill two steaks together. The ridges along the pan’s surface give the food a charred taste and help in grilling quickly.
Pros
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Sturdy construction and quality materials
- Ergonomic handle for safety
- Pouring lips for draining excess oil and grease
Cons
- May not be non-sticky
- Might be hard to clean
7. Oamceg Square Cast Iron Skillet
This non-stick coated cast iron skillet helps you to grill, sauté, and fry meat and vegetables. It is designed to be used on various cooking surfaces such as gas, electric, induction, grills, and even campfires. As it is made of cast iron, it heats up quickly and evenly to cook food to the right temperature. Along with the skillet, you will also get two frying pan scrapers and a silicone handle cover.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Built-in pouring lips
- Non-stick coating
- Deep ridges to give you chef-quality grilling
- Ergonomic handle with a hanging hole
Cons
- Might be heavy
- Could get rusty easily
8. Outset 763775 Shrimp Cast Iron Grill
If you love seafood, especially shrimp, then this cast iron grill is just what you might need to serve some yummy grill prawns. You can grill 22 jumbo shrimp at once on the 22 separate non-stick compartments that are non-stick. The pan is suitable for most cooktops, and can also be used for sautéing, cooking, grilling, etc. It is pre-seasoned and is said to get better and flavorful with each usage.
Pros
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Separate compartments with non-stick coating
- Multifunctional – can be used for different cooking methods
- Handles with grip on both the sides
Cons
- Might be hard to clean
9. Zelancio Cookware Cast Iron Grill
With attractive colors and stylish design, the Zelancio enamel cast iron grill pan is perfect for cooking and grilling meat and vegetables. It is designed to be compatible with a cooktop, induction stove, and oven (up to 500℉) for braising, sautéing, baking, and slow simmering. Made of high-quality cast iron, this pan gets heated quickly and evenly without any hotspots. The surface of the grill is lined with ridges to give a superior grilling taste to the food.
Pros
- Appealing design and colors
- Ergonomic handle and a hang loop
- Non-stick enamel coating
- Compatible with most cooktops
- Pre-seasoned, and ready to cook
Cons
- Hard to clean
- Enamel might chip
10. Unicook Cast Iron Grill Pan
The Unicook cast iron grill pan has a sloped ridged surface, giving the authentic grill marks to the foods. It is made of high-quality, durable cast iron, which helps in even heat conduction and superior heat retention. This pan measures 17.5 x 10.25 in and weighs 7.1lb. The elevated sides of the pan help in draining the excess fat and oil. You can use this cast iron grill pan on gas, induction, ceramic, glass, and electric gas stoves.
Pros
- High-quality cast iron
- Helps drain excess fat and oil for healthy eating
- Compatible with almost all cooktops
- Silicone handle cover included
- Ergonomic handle for safety
- Large hang hook
Cons
- Is not non-stick, so may need more oil
- Might rust easily
11. Iaxsee Carbon Steel Grill Pan
This large cast iron grill pan is said to have a high-quality double layer non-stick coating that does not wear out easily. Its horizontal stripe design enhances the pot’s hardness and locks the original flavor of the foods. The handle is foldable and also contains a heat-resistant Bakelite material. The square shape gives more grilling area, and the ridges give authentic grill marks to the foods.
Pros
- Large cooking area
- Contains a heat-resistant, foldable wooden handle
- Non-stick surface
- Pouring lips to drain excess oil and grease
Cons
- Size might be too small for some
How To Choose The Right Cast Iron Grill Pan?
Keep the below points in mind to choose the right cast iron grill pan for your use.
- Size: These grill pans come in various sizes, some big enough to cook two steaks at a time, and some specially designed to hold shrimp and shellfish. The larger the size, the heavier the pan will be. So, choose one according to your preferences.
- Non-stick or not: Although most grill pans are made of cast iron, some come with a non-stick coating. This helps prevent the food from sticking on to the grill surface and uses less oil to cook food. However, the non-stick coating might chip off easily.
- Handles: One of the best qualities of a cast iron grill is that it heats up uniformly and quickly. Make sure you pick a grill pan that comes with ergonomic and long handles. If the grill pan is heavy, then look for those with additional helper handles.
- Shape: Grill pans come in round and square shapes. Choose square-shaped grill pans as they provide more surface area than the round ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a grill pan on a glass top stove?
Yes. You may use a cast iron grill pan if it is compatible with a glass top stove.
2. What is the difference between a grill pan and a frying pan?
A frying pan has a smooth surface and can be made of aluminum, cast iron, copper, stainless steel, etc. But a grill pan contains ridges that give grill marks to the foods and are usually made of cast iron.
A cast iron grill pan is a good way to easily grill meat and vegetables with less oil. You can also grill foods indoors without worrying about smoke. Pans are easy to use and are also compatible with various cooktops. If you love grilled food, a cast iron grill pan could make a good addition to your kitchen.
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